The Rams Book Store on Laurel Street near Colorado State University is getting a makeover that will bring a bar to its upper floor. / Trevor Hughes/The Coloradoan

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A longtime CSU-themed bookstore is getting a major makeover that will bring a university-themed sports bar to Laurel Street near Old Town Fort Collins.

The Rams Book Store will move its operations into the lower floor of its existing building at the corner of Laurel and Mason streets, and The Boot restaurant and grill will move into the upper levels. Griff Kull, the longtime owner of the bookstore, said textbook sales have become less significant over the years. He said the change will allow his store to make better use of the building he owns.

The Boot already has a location in Loveland near the Budweiser Events Center. Kull said this location of The Boot will be a Colorado State University-themed sports bar. Kull said initial plans call for putting in windows along the building’s west side so bar patrons can look out onto the trains and MAX buses running along the Mason Corridor.

“I’m excited about being able to go into the school year with all the changes,” he said. “It’s just kind of, hopefully, a symbiotic relationship.”

Kull said his bookstore will remain open during renovations, which may begin in a few months and be complete by late summer. The independent bookstore isn’t formally associated with CSU, but carries licensed logowear and other CSU gear. Kull said the renovated bookstore will have a display area dedicated to the new CSU-licensed Under Armour gear.

“We’re definitely shooting to have everything done before the kids come back,” he said.